By Augustus Onwumere
Family, Friends and well wishers of Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Most Rev. John OkeOghene Afareha, on Sunday, converged at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Warri, to offer thanks to God for surviving an ailment that almost claimed his life.
In a homily he delivered, Most Rev. Afareha expressed gratitude to God for seeing him through, noting that the sickness was so severe that it almost sniffed life out of him, disclosing that his last public appearance was on October 2, 2022.
He said, it was inky God that healed him through prayers offered for him and on his behalf by the God people of God and through he intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Bishop emeritus however acknowledged the special attention given to him by his successor, Most Rev. Anthony Ewherido, Ph.D, as well as other priests and faithful while on admission at an Abuja hospital for months.
Most Rev. Afareha used the opportunity to admonished Christians to always place their trust in God who considers him worthy to still be alive, saying that without God, man is nothing. He thanked God and promised to remain grateful to God at all time.
On his part, the Catholic Bishop of Warri, Anthony Ewherido, appreciated the emeritus bishop for chosing the Cathedral Parish for the thanksgiving and congratulated him in advance for his 50th Priestly anniversary coming up on 30th, December which will also be heard at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Bishop Ewherido further charged the congregation to cultivate the habit of prayers, pointing out the need to also care and continually remember the elderly.
Most Rev. Afareha was joined in the thanksgiving by priests, lay faithful and well wishers. Prayers were offered for him by Most Rev. Anthony Ewherido.